Open the St. Croix River to Alewives

An Act To Open the St. Croix River To River Herring (2013)

The legislature authorized reopening the St. Croix River to alewives which represents a long-sought after victory for wildlife habitat. Also known as river herring, alewives are a critical food source for Maine lobster, many fish species, and a variety of birds and mammals. The fish passages were closed in 1995, restricting access to the alewives’ native spawning grounds and causing a dramatic population decline. The Marine Resources Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill, setting the stage for easy passage in both the House and Senate. Governor LePage let the bill become law without his signature.